Technology-enabled traveller-centric Railway Budget: Ashok Chandak, IESA

By Ashok Chandak India Electronics and Semiconductor Association (IESA) welcomes the Indian Railway Budget 2015. IESA has always envisioned electronics to transform India as a nation, however, Railway Budget 2015 has made it evident with electronics focus in providing safety, convenience, comfort and information. We believe the steps outlined by the Railway Minister will motivate to the electronics industry and bring cheers to the travellers through technology integration. The budget will also boost entrepreneurship in the electronics with the ministry focusing on new-age technologies  through ‘Kayakalp’ to ensure enhanced passenger safety and security, customer service and trade management. [caption id=“attachment_1608791” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Representational Image. AP[/caption] We also foresee this Railway Budget to motivate “Design-led electronics manufacturing” in India, with innovations and technology leading the growth of Indian Railways. The Digital India campaign has also its role to play with the ministry decided to enable Wi-fi across 400 stations, which would delight 25+ crores smartphone users in the country. We are elated with the Ministry of Indian Railways’ intent to provide customer service through special ticket booking device for differently-abled citizens, automatic ticket vending machines, improved version of online ticket booking for smartphones, multilingual eticketing facilities, and mount entertainment devices on Shatabdi trains. We also commend the government’s vision to provide security to the women passengers with enhancing security measures which includes installation of surveillance camera. The government’s decision in providing audio based warning at unmanned level crossing and install warning system to avoid collision displays great vision. Moreover, the introduction of handheld devices for TTEs will ensure paperless ticketing and will define another electronics’ role in Swachh Bharat mission. The electronics industry has received significant motivation from Railway Budget 2015 and definitely, this budget has provided an open invitation to the electronics industry for joining Indian Railways’ growth path. (The author is chairman at IESA.)